FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Nice

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Nice each year. The main ones are listed below.

January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday)

May 1: Labour Day (national holiday)

On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!

July 14: Bastille Day (national holiday)

This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Nice, the festivities take place on the Promenade des Anglais, where free concerts, activities and a spectacular fireworks display take place late in the evening.

August 15: Assumption Day (national holiday)

This celebration, still very popular in Nice, is marked by the faithful with several religious processions and ceremonies through the streets.

Third weekend in September: European Heritage Days (celebrated nationwide)

The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!

December 25: Christmas (national holiday)

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CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Nice

Nice enjoys a Mediterranean and subtropical climate. Average annual temperatures are usually around 20°C (68°F) and rarely in the negative. Winters (from December to March) are relatively mild and somewhat humid, while summers (from June to September) are hot and dry for the most part, with the Alps shielding the city from north and west winds.

Month

Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)

Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)

Average Rains (MM)

Best Time to Travel

January

5/41

13/55

69/2.7

Not the best period to go

February

6/43

13/55

45/1.8

Good period to go

March

8/46

15/59

39/1.5

Not the best period to go

April

10/50

17/63

69/2.7

Not the best period to go

May

14/57

21/70

45/1.8

Good period to go

June

17/63

24/75

34/1.3

Good period to go

July

20/68

27/81

12/0.5

Good period to go

August

20/68

28/82

18/0.7

Good period to go

September

17/63

24/75

73/2.9

Good period to go

October

14/57

21/70

133/5.2

Not the best period to go

November

9/48

17/63

104/4.1

Not the best period to go

December

6/43

14/57

93/3.7

Not the best period to go

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Nice Côte d'Azur Airport

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is located about 7 kilometres (4 miles) west of the city centre.

Two terminals:

Terminal 1

Terminal 2 (Air France)

Getting from the airport to Nice and back:

By car

Accessible via Avenue des Floralies, as well as Coste, Bellontes and Maîcon streets.

Parking facilities are available at each terminal (P2, P4 and G1 at Terminal 1 and P5, P6 and G2 at Terminal 2).

Several car rental companies have counters at the airport's arrivals hall.

By bus

Bus 23 to the Saint-Augustin train station and to Nice Vallons des Fleurs, EUR 1.50 each way.

Bus 98 (airport express bus) to Place Blanqui/Riquier, special fare of EUR 6.00.

GETTING AROUND Nice

The best options for getting around Nice are by bus or bicycle, or on foot. Due to often heavy vehicle traffic, works involved in the creation of a new tram line and rather expensive parking, getting around the city by car is not recommended.

By tram

One tram line operates in Nice, running through the middle of the city, complemented by the network of bus lines. A second tram line is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2018. It will cover a distance of 11.3 kilometres (7 miles), with some 20 stations.

By bus

Lignes d'Azur operates a network of bus lines that offers extensive coverage of the city as well as 23 nearby towns and is known for its reliability and efficiency. At night, you can use five routes of night buses known as Noctrambus.

Fares (also valid for tram):

Fares:

EUR 1.50 for a single ticket

EUR 5.00 for a 1-day pass

EUR 15.00 for a 7-day pass

EUR 6.00 each way to the airport on express bus lines 98 or 99.

By bicycle

Vélo Bleu public bike-sharing system:

1,750 bicycles available

175 stations in Nice, Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer

Bicycles available 24/7

The first 30 minutes of each rental are free, the next 30 minutes cost EUR 1 and then each additional hour is EUR 2.

On foot

Nice and especially some of its districts, such as the maze of narrow streets in Vieux Nice and the port area, are also delightful when explored on foot.

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Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Nice, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

There are no specific food safety risks. French government authorities promote good hygiene practices and put in place strengthened control procedures for sites especially frequented by tourists during the summer months.

Water

Tap water is safe to drink in Nice.

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Administrative formalities

As a general rule, a visa is required to enter France. Foreign nationals in the two categories listed below are not required to carry a visa for stays of 90 days or less:

Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation

Citizens or nationals of some foreign countries.

For stays of more than 90 days, a long-stay visa is required.

Travellers from all other countries must be in possession of a visa, regardless of the length of their stay. Visa applications must be submitted to the nearest French Embassy or French Consulate in the country of permanent residence well in advance of departure.

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Nice, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

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Essential phrases

Here are a few basic French phrases that will make your stay in Nice a little easier:

Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Bonjour

Good evening: Bonsoir

Good-bye: Au revoir

Yes: Oui

No: Non

No, thank you: Non, merci

Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup

I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas.

Could you repeat tha?t: Pouvez-vous répéter ?

Please: S'il vous plaît.

What time is it?: Quelle heure est-il ?

Excuse me: Excusez-moi.

Airport: Aéroport

Train station: Gare

Taxi: Taxi

Hotel: Hôtel

Hospital: Hôpital

Bank: Banque

Telephone: Téléphone

I'm (…): Je suis (…).

I'm looking for (…): Je recherche (…).

How much is (…)?: Quel est le prix de (…) ?

Do you have (…)?: Avez-vous (…) ?

Where can I find (…)?: Où puis-je trouver (…) ?

Where can I buy (…)?: Où puis-je acheter (…) ?

I'd like (…):Je voudrais (…).

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Good to know

00 33

+ phone number without the 0

-1 : 00
of time difference withSofia

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March

End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

Banks
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Government Offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In Nice like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.